The 2013 Chess Journalist of the Year is Jamaal Abdul-Alim, a frequent contributor to both Chess Life Magazine and Chess Life Online. After hearing about the honor, Jamaal said, "While I'm delighted to have been chosen as Chess Journalist of the Year, I share this award with the entire USCF community. That includes not only the grandmasters who've always graciously shared their insights with me for various stories that I've written, but also -- and perhaps more importantly -- all the players, particularly the young and upcoming ones, who've put in the time and study necessary to ultimately play the beautiful games that I've had the pleasure to write about."

Outside of his passion for chess, Jamaal hopes to see young people earn college scholarships through their devotion to our game: "If I can use my five minutes of fame to call for one change in the American chess scene, I would say we should all do more to create more opportunities for our young people -- particularly those who don't have parents with a whole lot of money -- to win four-year scholarships. Chess is about position, and I challenge anyone to name something that will put a young person in a better position to succeed in today's society than to be able to graduate from college -- a good college -- without any debt."

Prize List for 2013 CJA Awards

THE TOP FIVE:
Chess Journalist of the Year -- Winner: Jamaal Abdul-Alim, nominated by Chess Life
Best Story of the Year -- Winner: The Resolute GM by Macauley Peterson, April 2013 Chess Life, nominated by Chess Life
Best Chess Column -- Winner: My Best Move by GM Joel Benjamin, August 2012 Chess Life, nominated by Chess Life
Best State Magazine/Newsletter -- Winner: Georgia Chess, edited by Mark N. Taylor
Best Book (paper-printed only) -- Winner: Amateur to IM by Jonathan Hawkins, nominated by Mongoose Press